Arai Rx7 Corsair

http://www.savagedesigns.com/main.html

Looking pretty costs money. How pretty do you want to be? I've seen a few of his helmets. Any sane person can't help but be impressed with what he can do with a helmet.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Yesterday, I took the entire liner out of my helmet & scrubbed it down. Man, that makes a huge improvement. This feature alone makes any helmet so equipped better than lesser helmets. Now that I own a helmet with a completely removeable liner, I will never own one without it.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Hey all. I just wanted to throw my 2 cents in regarding helmet opinions. I agree that fit should be the top priority when it comes to helmets. I've had several and I must say that the Arai Profile I have now is by far my favorite. I've had a Shoei RF1000 and a Bell Apex. The Bell is a piece of sh*t! The Shoei was very nice. Build quality was good, it was light, but I didn't like the way it acted in the wind.
I've also tried on Sharks, Suomys, HJCs, etc. The Suomy impressed me with it's comfort, but the price is ridiculous and the fact that you need a tool to change the shield is even more ridiculous.
The Arai is awesome IMO. The fit is perfect (for me). It's not the lightest helmet out there, but it's not heavy by any measure. It vents well, and it's rock solid at any speed. Arais are expensive, maybe too expensive, but you do get what you pay for. By the way, I paid $380.00 for my Profile. I bought it from helmetharbor.com.

 

Akuma Ghost Rider

Ok, I've had it for a while now and I can honestly say it's a great helmet. Fit was snug, and it relaxed in nicely. The helmet breathes very well with all vents open. With vents closed it's quiet and relaxed. Little to no helmet bobble at speeds. I have yet to try and get the visor to fog up! I have the dark tint on all the time. It's not that intimidating even at night. Well worth the price. Large fit me once again.

The Arai Vector is the replacement for the Profile. You should get good deals on Profile helmets as they should be thinning out availability-wise. I tried on a Profile versus the Vector and I liked the fit of the Profile better. Of al the models that Arai had recently, the defunct Astral X was my best fit for my oval head. It's a shame it was dropped for the Profile. I hate the Vector's one large vent/air duct on the top. most people I talked to say it whistles.

I intend next to get a Shark RSX, second to top of the line in Shark's lineup. I don't need or like the large vent on the RSR-2, but DAMN this is a comfy helmet and fit of the RSX was awesome. I tried on a RSI and it was great, but the vent controls I found flimsy. No solid click. The RSX shares the RSR-2's Formula-1 3mm thick faceshield and you can buy tear-offs for racing. It also comes with a few to get you started. These helmets are LIGHT! It felt like riding with a bicycle helmet on! For those of you that say that this compromises integrity I suggest you reseach how the helmet crush zones are made. These helmets exceed DOT and Euro standards. I could care less about SNELL ratings these days.

After this, I hope that Caberg gets their shit together and starts distributing in the U.S. again, because I already have a Justissimo GT, but I want one of the new Caberg Trip/Rhyno helmets. Best flip-up with integrated sunshield made, IMHO.

That would round out my lineup with two solid and two flip-up helmets.

Stan

 

I ride with Arai and not sure I will change. I love the fit and I like the protection give. I am not so sure about e-bay though for a purchase. Most helmets have to be handled properly because they are built to protect your head by self destruction. A single drop could introduce an achilies heal in your helmet. I think helmet city might (MIGHT)be where I draw the line with ordering online. Arai is very particular about fitment and that is why they do NOT like mail order.

Most people do not know how to fit a helmet.

My head is important to me and I happen to think it is important to Arai as well. COmfort is also high on the list. They pay a lot of attention to fitment. If you get a helemet close to your size you can order various cheek pads etc to help it fit better. Shoot, If you practice you can even change your visor without taking the damn thing off.

I personally think they are great.

As far as parts go, they do break but they are easily reaplaced and inexpensive. Mine break because the visor is so easilly replaced I do it often. I carry both shieds with me and change to clear when it is dark. I tried this place and got parts in two days for my RX7 and my quantum. Not an issue. They are also a repair center.
http://www.theservicepavilion.com/partsaccess.html

 

Currently wearing a Quantum f.
back then, I had to decide between the rx7 and the quantum f.
I went with the f because it had less air ducts(less noisy).

I love it.

 

bitterpil...

I am glad you like Arai... but that's your personal choice.

As for buying online and worrying about shipping... How do you think ALL helmets are shipped? They ALL get bumped around in their boxes, but they are not shipped to a dealer one at a time but in shrink-wrapped bulks on pallets. Shipping does not cause damage. I agree that dropping a helmet to the ground MAY cause damage, but if it simply chips the paint then I say it has not caused any true structural damage. Yes, helmets are made to be destroyed. They have crumple zones just like your car does.

I have never had issue buying a helmet online. They all come in their factory boxes. Arai never used to sell their helmets online, but that's because they're behind the times. They're finally catching up and now you can find them for sale everywhere online.

As for your claim to be able to take off your visors without taking off your Arai? I wanna see a video of you doing that... and I'll time it against me taking mine off and putting my visor on. I gaurantee that I will do it in under a 30 seconds, while you will take a few minutes, even if you don't have it on your head. I have owned Arai. The ear pod covers ARE cheap to replace... because they are CHEAP to begin with! And everyone knows that those extra pieces over the visor cause turbulance, which causes noise. Arai needs to join the rest of the world and catch up in design. They are being left WAY behind. Their visor does not stay in any open positon for very long because they have weak detents. Arai is a good helmet. They are comfortable and sturdy. But they are antiquated.

I would take my Akuma and Shark over an Arai anyday. And my Shark is WAY more comfy than any Arai I have ever owned, let alone way lighter and structurally superior. (yes, I did get the RSX model this past week).

One more thing about ordering online... Everytime I get a helmet from an online source, it comes shipped in the factory box, packed in another box to protect it... and everytime it is packed with filler between the two boxes to prevent shock.

Stan

 

Hey Stan, I fully understand that you hate Arai. That's great. Start a freaking Akuma or Shark thread then.

For those that read this thread because it IS an Arai thread, I can in fact remove & replace my visor with the helmet on my head. Arai, to the best of my knowledge, is the only helmet I am aware of that has such a feature. If a person can't change the visor while wearing the helmet, maybe they should critique themself & their obvious lack of skill instead of the brand in question.

Arai's don't have visor detents. Even without detents, on every Arai I've ever owned (I've owned 3 & my Wife 1), the visor stays where I put it. It has an anti-fog detent that actually works.

Arai helmets actually vent & flow air. Anyone I know with low end helmets all complain about how hot their helmets are.

Arai has unbelievable fit & finish. The single only helmet I've ever seen with comparable or better graphics is Suomy. There are several with comparable quality & all of them are priced in the same ball park.

Arai does have the best warranty on the market. I have in fact had a warranty claim denied & but it was at 58 months of ownership. They (Arai) picked nits with the issue. I ordered the helmet the week I bought my bike in Mar 2000. The bike was stolen 4 days later, incidentally the same day the helmet arrived at the dealer. The helmet sat in a box at the dealer while the insurance crap was sorted out & the Honda dealer sourced me a new VFR. This process took about 2 months. Arai counted those 2 months, so when I tried to make a warranty claim, they said the helmet had been in my possession for 60 months. I could have told Arai to F off but they are still the single best fitting helmet for MY head.

So, in the end, what does this all mean? Buy the helmet YOU like that fit's YOUR head. It doesn't if Stan hates my helmet. HE DOESN'T HAVE TO WEAR IT, I DO! I will say this to anyone, when it comes to helmet shopping time, go to a dealer, try on every helmet they stock in your approximate size, TWICE. At this time, totally ignore graphics & colors. This process has the potential to take several hours. After you try on everything, narrow it down to 3 & try them on twice more again for AT LEAST 10-15 minuts. Narrow the choice again down to the best 2. Try them on AGAIN for at least another 15-20 minutes. Finally, select the one that is the most comfortable & fits you best. Once you have made your selection, now talk to the dealer about graphics. If they refuse to price match the internet dealer, tell them so or make a comment about wanting to shop around some more & go order it online.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Good point KC-10 FE, trying on everything and forgetting about the graphics will get you the better helmet for your head. Each one of us is different. I have an RF-1000 and I think its great in the wind and vents well. It fit me best when I went and tried on helmets at the dealership. I went to try out an HJC "elbows". Graphics fit an 07 RWB pretty well but not my head so it stayed on the shelf.

 

Wabbit, I was not trying to Bash you or your comments. Sorry if you took it that way. Since this is an Arai thread, I thought I sould speak to Arai and the quality I found with the product. I tried many Helmets and the Arai fit me best. The best for helmet for my wife was a Shoei RF1000. We tried may different models Arai included. I again I believe and I will state that Fitment is the most important feature in any helmet.

Arai has three different head shapes and many pad sizes that help ensure fitment. I like mine and I'm weraing them. You like yours so you wear them. Congrates you found a helmet that you like and you are comfortable with.

 

Nice helmet

Good choice KC-10, I like the Arai myself, It is light and comfy, The only thing i did not like is the air vent on the face shield is hard to get to with glove. Good write up, Thanks

 

bitterpil and KC-10

I do try on helmets all day at stores that carry a good variety of models. I tried on a Shoei RF-1000 and thought it was actually quite nice. I like the features it has, like a lockable visor, which Arai does not have. I even test rode the RF-1000, but to me it moved too much air, seemingly coming from under the chin, even with all vents shut, so I opted not to buy one. The nice features Arai has is the chin spoiler and demist position. The best Arai I owned was a Signet GT. The newer models all fatigued my forehead with excessive pressure, no matter what model I tried on.

The Shark fit more firmly against my cheeks, softer and rounder on my forehead, has a plusher feeling fabric than any helmet I ever tried on, and I press a button on either side and the visor is off, and back on again with a nice 'click'. Yeah, I can do this helmet without taking it off my head, but why would I want to do that anyhow? Is that a test of how cool I am?

I've owned the Cobra Corsair. It was a good helmet. Yes the graphics and build are great, just doesn't thrill me much in the weight department. Balance however was great, as usual for an Arai.

As I said... I am glad you all like Arai. Really, I am. I agree that fitment is most important. I just think Arai is about as innovative as Harley Davidson. They really do nothing to improve their design, but their prices keep going up. Sorry, but the old adage, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' doesn't float with me when it comes to technology available in today's helmets. Lighter, stronger composites abound out there. Arai should take that to heart.

 

aria. only four letters in the name. only three different letters. hmm. what could be simpler and still be a word?

That's what I look for in a helmet: a good name with a reputation for vowel and consonant integration.

It's your head, protect it as your DNA sees fit.

:thumb:

 

Hello thread revival batman! I have to make one comment. FE said So, in the end, what does this all mean? Buy the helmet YOU like that fit's YOUR head. It doesn't if Stan hates my helmet. HE DOESN'T HAVE TO WEAR IT, I DO! I will say this to anyone, when it comes to helmet shopping time, go to a dealer, try on every helmet they stock in your approximate size, TWICE. At this time, totally ignore graphics & colors. This process has the potential to take several hours. After you try on everything, narrow it down to 3 & try them on twice more again for AT LEAST 10-15 minuts. Narrow the choice again down to the best 2. Try them on AGAIN for at least another 15-20 minutes. Finally, select the one that is the most comfortable & fits you best. Once you have made your selection, now talk to the dealer about graphics. If they refuse to price match the internet dealer, tell them so or make a comment about wanting to shop around some more & go order it online.

The only issue I have with that is don't expect the dealer to match the internet price. They are spending time with you and have money invested in all of those helmets that you are trying on so this is costing them money. Expect to pay a little more, especially if they are giving you good service and advice helping you select the helmet that is right for you and not the one that they want to get rid of this month. Especially with Arais or similar brand where you have customizable pads and they help you select the right ones. If they take the time to help you and you leave satisfied that you have a helmet you would be happy with for a long time its worth a few extra bucks (and on an Arai I am talking 50-100) You would end up eating this up in shipping, your time and headaches (litarally and figuratively) anyway. Support your local dealer if they are a good one, have good stock and give you good service. Now having said that if they just say "there are the helmets" and walk away then to heck with them and buy it elsewhere!

 

Well, since the thread was hit with the AED...

I agree with GTI about paying for service rendered. I have no gripe whatsoever with paying in-store prices for any product even though I can get the product in question for cheaper online. There is one big IF with that. I will pay for service rendered only IF I get good service. Unfortunately, most dealers have some ignoraminus working behind the parts counter. If a place has good prices, great but it doesn't really matter if they have no or lousy service.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2: